Page 35 of Hooking

I shake my head as my leg bounces nervously under the table, anxious as to what he has to say. My life could either be fucked for the rest of time to where I’ll need a drink, but I’ll take my chances for that one. I need to be clear minded for what he says.

“So, this may or may not surprise you, but your girl’s full of shit.”

“She’s not my girl—” I start to say before registering what he just said.

I watch as he pulls out documents and pictures, ready for him to explain his findings as Talya takes a sip of her vodka soda she had ordered before I arrived.

“First thing’s first. The document you received and leaked to the media of your paternity test was falsified. According to my guy on the inside, your girl is having a relationship with this fella here. Ronald Black conveniently works for the lab you did your test through.” I glance down at the photo of Natasha and the guy from the clinic locking lips. My jaw tightens as I grind my teeth. “My guys were able to hack her phone and access messages between her and numb nuts there. Their plan was to claim the baby was yours, trap you into a marriage for a year or two once the baby came, then she would divorce you for a hearty alimony and child support check.”

You got to be shitting me. “Not again,” I fucking mutter under my breath as I continue to sift through the information before me.

Talya stares at me with a million questions in her eyes. I could have sworn I said what I intended quietly. But judging by the look on her face and Scottie’s, I know I fucked up.

“What?”

“Did you seriously just say not again?”

I drop my head into my hands before looking at the pair. “Back in high school, I was dating a girl. When I got drafted, she went to college, and we did long distance. One day, she called me and told me she was pregnant.” I pause, remembering the day she called to tell me I was gonna be a dad. I loved her so much that I let my pride cloud my judgment. “We got engaged. Planned a wedding because my parents always told me to own up to my shit. Take responsibility. So, there I was, ready to commit my whole like to the two of them. Only for her to not show up.”

“Her maid of honor found me later that night and gave me a note she found. She lied to me. The baby wasn’t mine. It was some guy’s she met in a bar.” The pain in my chest intensifies, aching fresh like it did that very day. “She told me it was mine because the guy told her he didn’t want children at first. She figured I was rich and could take care of them, so it didn’t matter that she didn’t love me anymore.”

I was seen as a paycheck. A payout just like Natasha had seen me. It was why I didn’t commit. No one ever saw me beyond the hockey and the pay.

No one except for Cassidy and thanks to Natasha, she destroyed that as well.

“Yeah, sorry about this, mate,” Scottie says, passing me the manila folder. “This is all yours to do with as you please. The last of my fees will be waived.” With that, he pushes to stand and leaves the bar, leaving me with Talya to stew over my thoughts.

Talya chugs back the last of her drink before eyeing me with caution. “So, what do you want to do?”

Take a time machine to travel back and punch myself in the face so I can avoid getting involved with Natasha to begin with. Commit to Cassidy the moment I met her. There’s only one thing to do though.

Chapter 18

Pucks and Fucks - A Puck Bunny Podcast

Live transcript

Misty Raines: OMG. OMG. OMG. Do we have an unbelievable show for you today. And a special guest on today’s show who is going to blow your mind.

Bridgette Daniels: I just about died when Jack walked into the living room last night and told me a certain person was on the phone to talk to me.

Misty Raines: Bless your husband.

Audible laughing

Misty Raines: Well, without further ado, I don’t think this person needs any introduction. But please, ladies, keep your panties on. We welcome to the show. The one. The only… Channing Halloway.

Channing Halloway: Thank you, Misty, Bridgette, for having me today.

Bridgette Daniels: To say I was shocked when you called my husband to ask to speak to me… well, that’s an understatement.

Channing Halloway: Well, I figured you all would like to be the first with this scoop.

Bridgette Daniels: Sounded pretty juicy when you gave me a little hint last night.

Misty Raines: So, wait, this isn’t about the arrival of your little bundle of joy.

Channing Halloway: Oh, it’s about an arrival all right. The arrival of information into a puck bunny scheme.

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